For
the first time in its history, the population of Orléans
has grown to more than 100,000 people.

According
to census figures released by StatsCanada last week, the
population of Orléans is officially 107,823. That's an
increase of 12,302 people since the last census was taken
in 2006.

Virtual
all of the population growth has occurred in the areas
east of Trim Road and south of Innes.

In
2006, the combined population of Springridge and East
Village was 2,358. During the past five years it has more
than doubled to just over 5,000.

Chapel
Hill South and Bradley Estates and experienced more moderate
growth with the number of residents increasing from 1,738
to 2,412.

But
the highest area of growth has been in the area generally
known as Avalon which is bordered by Trim Road in the
east, Tenth Line Road in the west and Innes Road to the
north.

In
2001, only 1,328 people lived in the area. By 2006, the
population had grown to 8,157. According to census data
gathered in 2011, the population now stands at 16,687
and is still growing with new home construction moving
further south.

Elsewhere
in the east end, the number of residents is contracting
as communities mature. In the neighbourhoods north of
Hwy. 174, including Convent Glen North, Orleans Wood and
Chatelaine Village, the population has shrunk from 17,336
in 2001 to 16,202 in 2006 and 15,931 in 2011.

The
same story is true in Queenswood Heights where the number
of residents has shrunk from 12,953 in 2001 to 11,684
in 2011, and Chapel Hill where the population is now 4,009,
down from 4,379 in 2001.

The
relative new community of Fallingbrook is also showing
the same trend, going from 16,708 residents in 2001 to
15,375 in 2011. The figures do not include the area to
the south and east of Charlemagne Blvd. bordered by Portobello
Blvd. to the west and Valin to the east, commonly referred
to as South Fallingbrook, where the population has grown
from 9,049 in 2006 to 10,124.

The
census data released last week is limited to population
figures only. More detailed data including gender, age,
ethnicity and mother tongue will released in May. It is
the more detailed data that will be used to plan for future
schools and other infrastructure.